Construction of Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City has reached 84.5% completion, with key sports facilities nearing completion as Uganda prepares to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Government Chief Whip Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero disclosed the progress following a guided tour of the stadium on Saturday, October 31, accompanied by Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi and other local leaders.
Aceng said asphalt materials for the stadium’s running arena and ring roads had arrived in Mombasa, Kenya, and were expected at the construction site the following week to accelerate the remaining works.
“The training area, indoor games facilities, hostel for players and swimming pool are almost complete,” Aceng said in a statement shared on X.
She expressed confidence that Lira City would be ready to host AFCON 2027, crediting the Government under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the progress.
The stadium, named after Uganda’s legendary Olympic gold medallist John Akii-Bua, is one of the country’s major sports infrastructure projects ahead of the continental football tournament.
Baryomunsi, on his part, said the facility would also position Lira City to host other international sporting events, including the African Games.
“It is important that we are here in Lira City because we are also going to host the African Games, and the city has Akii-Bua Stadium, one of the venues where some of these activities will take place,” he said.
He used the occasion to urge residents to maintain cleanliness and proper sanitation, saying a clean environment was important for the well-being of the population and the city’s preparedness to host international events.
“Let us maintain cleanliness, hygiene and good sanitation for the benefit of all of us,” Baryomunsi said.
The stadium tour followed the fourth National Cleaning Day activities held in Lira City, where leaders and residents participated in cleaning streets, markets and drainage channels.
Akii-Bua Stadium is designed as a multipurpose sports complex, featuring a main football stadium, athletics facilities, an indoor arena, a swimming pool and accommodation facilities for athletes.
The project is expected to expand Uganda’s capacity to host international sporting competitions while providing northern Uganda with modern sports infrastructure.
Its progress comes as Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania prepare for the 2027 AFCON, the first edition of the continental tournament to be jointly hosted by three East African countries.